Zendaya continues her winning streak with “Challengers,” the Amazon-MGM romance sports drama that debuted at the top of the domestic box office over the weekend.
Directed by Luca Guadagnino, known for acclaimed works like “Call Me by Your Name” and “Suspiria,” the film raked in an impressive $15 million, marking Guadagnino’s best opening to date.
The weekend haul for “Challengers” included $6.2 million on Friday, $5 million on Saturday, and an expected $3.78 million on Sunday, playing across 3,477 theaters. Its success propels it to the second-widest release, just behind A24’s “Civil War,” which slipped to fourth place in its third weekend.
Zendaya’s “Challengers” Serves Up No. 1 Opening
Starring alongside Zendaya are Mike Faist from “West Side Story” and Josh O’Connor from “The Crown.” The film follows Zendaya’s character, Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach, as she navigates the complexities of love and competition.
When her husband (Faist), a champion facing a losing streak, must confront his past by competing against his former best friend (O’Connor), tensions rise, and past and present collide.
While “Challengers” claimed the top spot, it faced stiff competition from Lionsgate’s “Unsung Hero,” a biopic about For King & Country, which earned $7.75 million, and Warner Bros.’
“Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” still going strong in its fifth weekend with $7.2 million.
Despite dropping to ninth place, “Dune: Part Two,” another Zendaya starter, added $1.98 million to its impressive domestic haul of $279.7 million.
Guy Ritchie’s “Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” slipped to sixth place with $3.8 million, while “Kung Fu Panda 4” and “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” held strong in the top 10 with $3.5 million and $3.2 million, respectively.
Rounding out the top 10 is the ultra-violent R-rated action flick “Boy Kills World,” which earned $1.6 million in limited release from 1,993 theaters.
With Zendaya’s star power and Guadagnino’s direction, “Challengers” looks set to continue its winning streak at the box office, offering audiences a compelling blend of romance, drama, and sports action.
